Firefly

insects · glow-in-the-dark · beetles

Living lanterns. Fireflies are actually beetles that can make their own light, which is why people also call them lightning bugs or glowworms. There are over 2,400 different kinds!

Flashing for love. Many fireflies blink their lights at twilight to send signals and attract a mate. Each species has its own special flash pattern, like a secret code.

A warning glow. Scientists think the glow first appeared in firefly larvae as a way to warn predators that they taste bad. Later it became useful for finding mates.

Tricky impostors. Female fireflies of the genus Photuris copy the flash pattern of another kind of firefly to lure in those males and eat them!